{"id":104580,"date":"2018-10-26T15:17:42","date_gmt":"2018-10-26T15:17:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?p=104580"},"modified":"2018-10-26T15:17:42","modified_gmt":"2018-10-26T15:17:42","slug":"travelling-with-a-disability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/travelling-with-a-disability\/","title":{"rendered":"Backpacking with a Disability! (South America edition)"},"content":{"rendered":"

As I boarded the plane to South America I was so nervous. Luckily my fears were unfounded and as a backpacker with cerebral palsy I was amazed at the ease I had in conquering South America. Like anything in life, there are a few hurdles and challenges to overcome along the way, but nothing that would deter me from chasing my dream and seeing the world.\u00a0 To prepare you for your own great adventure, I\u2019m sharing my experience and top tips for travelling with a disability.<\/p>\n

Attitudes towards Disabled Travel <\/strong><\/h2>\n

I walk with a slight wobble, so yes, I do stick out on a calle in Cusco! But I stick out on a street in New Zealand (my home) also. I am very used to that curious glance and I don’t mind, I am a curious human too\u2026 that’s why I travel! In my experience, 99% of attitudes towards being a solo disabled traveller are positive. I experienced all kinds of kindness on my trip; Argentinians bending down to tie my shoelaces, Bolivians offering to carry my bag, Peruvians giving me a hand to climb the uneven steps of Machu Picchu, Brazilians offering me their seat on public transport, hostel owners ensuring I got the highly sought-after bottom bunk and finally, the hundreds of super-friendly backpackers I met along the way that made my trips unforgettable. Genuinely, people\u2019s attitudes towards me as a disabled traveller continue to blow me away. So, if you have a disability, please do not let the fear of people\u2019s attitudes deter you. Backpackers are an open-minded, adventurous bunch and will only support you on your journey.<\/p>\n

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Access to Tourist Attractions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One positive about travelling with a disability is the ability to skip queues or get discounts at certain attractions and tourist sites. During my South America adventure, I visited some top attractions that offered awesome accessibility catering for disabled travellers.<\/p>\n

1. Iguazu Falls<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I arrived early at Iguazu falls and I was at the ticket booth for less than 1 minute before a staff member noticed me and ushered me to a special booth. There I passed over my cerebral palsy society ID card (TIP: it pays to get an ID card from your organization before you travel) to the ticket issuer, she checked the legitimacy, \u201cBoleto gratis\u201d\u2026 I couldn’t believe it, I had FREE entry! \u201cGracias amiga\u201c, I replied in surprise! It didn\u2019t stop there either, I was offered a cart ride to get around the park which was awesome as I\u2019d heard this park was a biggie! Carts were offered to anyone with mobility issues to get around which was a massive help. I was also super impressed with Iguazu\u2019s wheelchair access as they had wide walkways all around the falls. This site was a shining example of how to cater for travellers with disabilities.<\/p>\n

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2. Christ the Redeemer<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Christ the Redeemer in Rio is another must-see landmark that has great accessibility. There are lifts and elevators in place to get you up to the stunning statue.<\/p>\n

3. Azucar Loaf Mountain<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Azucar Loaf Mountain,<\/strong> again in Rio, has a handy \u201cexpress lane\u201d allowing for travellers with disabilities to skip through the queues and get a discounted ticket.<\/p>\n

4. La Paz gondolas<\/strong><\/h3>\n

La Paz gondolas (Bolivia) were also easily accessible with lifts in place to get you up and above the highest capital in the world!<\/p>\n

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Transport Tips <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Short Distance Travel<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Taxis<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Getting from A to B in South America isn\u2019t as hard as you may have thought. For intercity transport – Taxis are your best friend when travelling with a disability. When carrying your massive backpack gets too much, taxis are your saviour. Throw your bag in the boot and relax! I never had any issues trusting taxis, use your common sense and stick with registered companies and negotiate your price before you set off and you\u2019ll be set. Tip: Taxis are cheap in Peru and Bolivia<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ubers<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If you\u2019re not convinced by taxi\u2019s and you prefer to know who your driver is, then make sure you set up an Uber account before you set off on your adventure. In some places this can be half the price of a Taxi! Tip: Uber\u2019s are cheap in<\/strong> Brazil<\/strong>, Chile<\/strong> and Argentina <\/strong><\/p>\n

Long Distance Travel<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

South America is a bit different from Europe when it comes to long distance travel as unfortunately it doesn’t have high speed train networks at its disposal. But, fear not\u2026<\/p>\n

Buses<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Buses are your best bet for long distance travel in South America.<\/p>\n

I was hesitant at first to take a bus in South America but honestly, you don’t need to be. All buses for long distances in South America are double deckers, for best accessibility look at buying a seat on the bottom floor. Also, don’t worry about going to the \u2018ba\u00f1o\u2019 beforehand as all buses have small toilet facilities.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong> Busbud<\/a> is the best website for both in country and international buses.<\/p>\n

Best Bus Companies in South America =<\/p>\n